What does Acupuncture do?

“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end. To beginners it seems easy; the masters know how difficult it is.” – Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) (Canon of Acupuncture) Chapter 17 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the body as an interconnected, holistic system. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points along pathways known as meridians, through which the body’s vital energy, or Qi, flows. Stimulating these points helps to restore balance within the body and supports its natural healing processes—not just at the site of needle insertion, but throughout the entire system.

Because of this systemic approach, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can address a wide range of health concerns, including musculoskeletal pain, digestive disorders, skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, fertility and IVF support, women’s health, general wellness, and preventative care.

During your initial consultation, the practitioner will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your symptoms, identify underlying imbalances, and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

To ensure optimal results, at Perth Classical Acupuncture  & Herbal Medicine, only high-quality herbal extracts and carefully selected medicinal herbs are used in herbal prescriptions.

Cupping therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C. 

It is a traditional Chinese method in which special cups (our clinic uses glass cups) are placed on your skin to create suction. We heat the cups to create a vacuum by placing a burning cotton ball into the cup before placing the cups onto specific points on the body corresponding to various meridians. The suction created by the cups exerts negative pressure on the muscles which helps to increase blood circulation, relieve muscle aches and tension, and improve Qi flow along the meridians. After a session, patients usually report feeling light and relaxed. 

During Treatment, you’ll feel a tight, pulling sensation as the suction draws your skin and underlying tissue into the cup. It’s usually not painful, but it can feel intense or warm, especially during your first session. After a few minutes, the sensation usually eases into a relaxing pressure.
After Treatment, you may feel a bit sore or tender in the treated areas. It often leaves circular marks or bruises, which are not painful and fade within a few days to a week.

Avoid showering 3 hours immediately after cupping as your pores are still open, making it easy for you to catch a cold. Stay away from exposure to strong wind and air conditioning. Lastly, drink more warm water and rest after cupping.

Guasha originated in ancient China and has been practiced for over 2,000 years. The term “Gua” means “to scrape,” and “Sha” refers to the redness or petechiae (tiny red dots) that may appear during treatment—signs of stagnant blood and energy being released from the body.

Gua Sha is also used in other East Asian healing traditions and has gained global popularity today, especially for facial therapy and wellness.

Guasha can be used to alleviate various ailments and conditions such as muscle aches, chronic pains and neck pains. It is used to move blocked energy or ‘Qi’ which is believed to be the cause of aches and stiffness in various parts of the body. By moving the blocked and stagnant Qi and increasing blood circulation, healing is promoted. Guasha is reported to help to reduce inflammation, treat certain respiratory problems and other problems stemming from the stagnation of blood or Qi. The force and microtrauma caused by Guasha can also help to break up scar tissue and even fibrosis. Not only can it be used on the body (common body parts are the back, neck and shoulders), Guasha can be performed on the face as well to improve blood circulation and increase the firmness of the skin.During treatment, you may feel a firm stroking or scraping sensation across your skin. It can feel intense or deeply releasing, especially in areas with tightness or tension. Some people experience redness or light bruising in the treated area, which is normal and usually fades in a few days. Many people describe it as feeling relieving, invigorating, and deeply relaxing—similar to a strong massage.

After treatment, our practitioners would offer a cup of warm water -  it’s an important part of the healing process, helps flush out metabolic waste that has been mobilized and supports the kidneys and lymphatic system in clearing toxins.

Moxibustion (dried mugwort leaves ) has been practiced in China for over 2,500 years, possibly even earlier. It is believed to have pre-dated acupuncture, especially in the cold northern regions of ancient China where warming therapies were essential for survival. The earliest written references appear in the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, ~2nd century BCE), one of the foundational texts of Chinese medicine. It describes moxibustion as a key technique for warming meridians and expelling cold. The soothing heat helps activate circulation and supports the body’s natural healing process.

In early practice, raw mugwort (Ai Ye) (艾葉) was burned directly on the skin or applied in ash form to treat localized issues. Over time, moxa was refined into sticks, cones, and loose forms to allow for more controlled and safer application.  At our clinic, we use moxa sticks for moxibustion therapy to ensure a safe, controlled, and effective treatment. 

Prized for its warming effects, it’s a go-to remedy for everything from menstrual discomfort to cold hands and feet. Imagine it as a natural heater for your body, gently coaxing blood flow and easing pain where cold has settled in.

In TCM, dampness is considered a pathological factor that can lead to various health issues. Mugwort's warm and acrid properties make it effective in dispelling dampness from the body. It is particularly useful in treating conditions characterized by cold and damp accumulation, such as abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and certain gynecological disorders.

Mugwort is considered a hot yang herb in TCM. Its warming nature helps to invigorate the body's yang energy, which is essential for maintaining vitality and proper physiological function. By warming the channels and expelling cold, Mugwort supports the body's natural energy flow, promoting overall health and well-being.

Have you ever enjoyed the warmth of cinnamon in your tea, the comforting aroma of ginger in your cooking, or the soothing effects of chrysanthemum and licorice tea? What may seem like everyday ingredients in your kitchen are, in fact, time-honored medicinal herbs—prescribed for healing over 1,800 years ago in one of the most treasured texts of Chinese medicine, the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber (金匮要略).

Compiled by the revered physician Zhang Zhongjing during the Han Dynasty, the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber is a cornerstone of classical Chinese medicine. It emphasizes a holistic, pattern-based approach to illness, focusing on the dynamic interaction between internal organs, the balance of Qi and Blood, and the progression of disease through different layers of the body. The formulas preserved in this text are not just medicinal—they are an expression of clinical precision, using simple, often food-grade herbs like cinnamon twig (桂枝), fresh ginger (生薑), licorice root (甘草), red dates (大棗 ) and others in carefully balanced combinations tailored to each patient’s unique constitution and symptoms.

In clinical practice today, following the methods of the Golden Chamber means carefully diagnosing the patient’s pattern, often beginning with pulse, tongue, and symptom presentation, and then choosing classical formulas—sometimes slightly modified—that have stood the test of time. These prescriptions are gentle yet effective, often using herbs that nourish, harmonize, and warm the internal organs rather than aggressively purge or cool.

This method is not just about treating disease—it's about restoring harmony through balancing Yin (陰）& Yang (陽) .It's about listening to the body’s subtle messages and responding with a prescription rooted in tradition, experience, and natural healing. 

Did you know that your ear contains a map of your entire body—even your internal organs? Connection between the ears and internal organs was first documented in ancient China in the foundational medical text, The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine. This classic work noted that physiological or pathological changes within the body could be reflected on the auricles, laying the groundwork for auricular diagnosis. In the 1950s, French physician Dr. Paul Nogier expanded on this concept by developing the modern theory of auricular acupuncture. He introduced the idea of an inverted fetus map on the external ear, proposing a microsystem that could be used to both diagnose and treat various health conditions.

Today, non-invasive techniques such as ear pellets are widely used in clinical settings to stimulate auricular points without the need for needles. These pellets—often made from materials like magnetic beads or plant seeds (such as Vaccaria seeds)—offer a safe, effective, and convenient method for continuous acupressure on the ear.

After treatment, stimulate the seeds regularly by gently press or massage the seeds 2–3 times a day (for about 30 seconds each time) to activate the acupressure points and enhance therapeutic effects. You may also press them when symptoms arise—like during stress, pain, or cravings. The seeds typically stay in place for 3 to 5 days, they should be kept dry and clean during this time. If redness, itching, or discomfort occurs, the seeds should be removed immediately and the area should be cleaned.